Small Ruminant Nutrition Flashcards
(31 cards)
where does Texas rank in terms of sheep inventory
1st
where are most sheep within Texas
hill country
what percent of total goat inventory does Texas hold
35%
what is the #1 production issue for sheep and goat
decreasing lamb and kid survival rate
T/F growing lamb feed efficiency is comparable to that of growing cattle
TRUE
what sheep production parameter has the larges affect on profit
feed costs
what is sheeps energy requirement per unit of metabolic body size? how does this compare to cattle?
56
less than cattle
why are lambs more susceptible to cold stress
they have less wool/insulation
factors affecting sheep NEg requirements
frame size
rate of gain
body weight
how much do energy requirements in the final trimester increase for singles
50% increase
how much do energy requirements in the final trimester increase for twins
2X greater
how does the amount of offspring impact milk production
milk production increases as offspring numbers do
how much do energy requirements during nursing increase for singles
2.5X greater
how much do energy requirements during nursing increase for twins
3X greater
relationship between protein and energy requirements
inverse
minimum Ca:P ratio in sheep
2:1
why is the Ca:P ratio higher in sheep
they are more prone to urinary calculi
what minerals lower absorption rate of copper
Molybdenum
Sulfur
sheep are most susceptible to toxicity of which mineral
copper
impact of copper deficiency during late gestation
-neonatal ataxia(nervous disorder)
-reduced vigor at birth
-reduced cold tolerance
-increased diarrhea
-reduced neonatal survival rates
consequences of maternal deficiency of Se and vitamin E
-white muscle disease
-abortion or stillborn
-weak lamb syndrom
stages of ewe production
- pre-lambing
- pre-breeding
- early lactation
- early gestation
- dry period
when should you start feeding ewes high energy
3-4 weeks before breeding
when ewe phase has the highest energy requirements
early lactation
